No. 143 • June 2017 • President’s Perspective: Judicial 2 • MHA Event—May 2017 10 process is the only hope Don Giovanni Pietro Francesco Agius de Soldanis • New Labour Government 3 • Maltese appointed Executive 11 pledges Constitutional reform in Director at NCEC President’s Speech at Opening of Parliament • Josephine Zammit Cordina MCCV honoured with Malta TV Award • Marriage Equality Bill introduced 4 for debate in Malta;s Parliament • Fr Emmanuel Adami mssp retires 12 • Maltese language VCE • Fr Claude Borg mssp passes 13 accreditation extended away aged 91 News • Appreciation: Carmen Testa 14 • Census 2016: 9% fewer first 5 generation Maltese OAM, MQR (1934-2017) Maltese Community Council of Victoria, Inc. • Commitment to the Maltese • Appreciation: Anthony “Tony” 15 Paul Zarb (1935-2017) 477 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, AUSTRALIA community – a new scholarship opportunity • Maltese-Australian author tops 16 Phone: (03) 9387 8922 | Fax: (03) 9387 8309 • MCCV honours members for 7 publisher’s list Email: [email protected] | Website: www.mccv.org.au their contribution to Maltese Sharon Spiteri’s Traditional 17 community • Editor: Dr Edwin Borg-Manché | Sub-Editor: Andrew Gatt Sweet Recipes from Malta

he incumbent Labour govern- ment was returned to power in a T landslide victory in the general election held in Malta on 3 June. At the ballot box 55% of voters (170,976) decided that there was no need for a change of government despite the serious allegations of corruption that led to the snap election. Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat heralded the stunning win declaring the result to be an endorsement of his government's programme, stating that "It is clear that the people have chosen to stay the course." He said that, after a divisive political campaign, his priority is to bring about unity and to invite all to work together to achieve even better results for the country. The Partit Laburista (PL) retained the comfortable buffer of about 35,000 over the opposition Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) and Partit Demokratiku (PD) which joined forces to form the Forza Naz- zjonali coalition. The PL won 37 seats n a Farewell Reception held on while the PN/PD coalition won 28 seats. Sunday 18 June at the Maltese Com- Applying a provision in the Maltese I munity Centre in Parkville, members Constitution that enables a correction to of the Melbourne Maltese community be made to ensure that the seats in parlia- joined the MCCV in farewelling the out- ment reflect the proportion in first prefer- going Consul General of Malta for the ence votes, the Electoral Commission State of Victoria, Mr Victor Grech. His increased the number of PN seats to 30. term of office concludes at the end of June, The PL filed an objection to this increase after serving for almost four years. in PN seats before the Constitutional Among those present were the Honorary Court, disputing the application of this Consul of Malta for the State of Victoria constitutional provision on the basis that Dr Edwin Borg Manché; the MCCV Presi- it applies only where the opposition con- dent, Mr Victor Borg; the Superior General sists of one party. The PL argued that the of the Missionary Society of St Paul Fr principle of proportionality should not Mark Grima mssp; MSSP Provincial, Fr apply in this case because those 28 seats Ivano Burdian mssp; members of the MCCV Executive Committee and presi- are made up of both PN and PD, meaning dents of affiliated associations. MC for the Continued on page 3 event was Mr George Saliba. Continued on page 6 MCCV News • No. 143 • June 2017 President’s Perspective

ot unexpectedly, the Labour Government was Malta’s only real hope to rid itself of the scourge of returned to power in the June 3 snap election. corruption now lies in the judicial process that is N At face value, the size of the win was rather currently under way with the three magisterial surprising to the 45% of the electorate who voted for enquiries. The judicial process must be allowed to an end to corruption and for clean governance. This take its natural course without any undue haste, election was not a typical one fought on party policies. pressure or hindrance so that any alleged wrongdoings It was an unusual contest in which self-interest won that are proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court of over decency and love of country. law are dealt with in accordance with the law that is The growing tide in favour of change witnessed applied equally to all without exception. towards the end of the campaign appears to have been Without an effective rule of law and with the negatived by the caretaker government inappropriately continuing abuse of power, Malta is in danger of handing out jobs, awarding promotions, and having transitioning to a banana republic. planning permits approved in exchange for votes in the days leading up to the election, as reported by First generation Maltese in Australia some Maltese media. he first statistics from the Australian Census There is no doubt that the electoral campaign was that took place last August have started to divisive. We welcome the calls for reconciliation that T emerge. In the five years from the previous came from the President of Malta and the Archbishop census in 2011, the number of first generation Maltese of Malta, as, after all, we are all Maltese, regardless of born in Malta has dropped by 9% to 37,613. Victoria one’s political leanings. is still the State with the highest proportion of However, the landslide victory and the calls for Maltese. Just under half (17,873 or 48%) reside in reconciliation have not changed the urgent need to Victoria, compared with 14,481 or 39 % in New clean up all hints of corruption in politics and South Wales. particularly at the core of government. The election The main reason for this decline in our community win should not be taken to be an absolution of the numbers can only be the ageing of our population and alleged wrongdoings. the number of deaths in the past five years. Since the election, there has been a further SBS Radio will be relying on Census data when deterioration of the rule of law with the sacking of two adjusting its community language radio programs. senior officials at the Financial Intelligence Analysis The statistic that will be more relevant, however, in Unit (FIAU) that took place barely three days after the this regard is the number of those who marked their cynical remark by the Finance Minister to a Times of census form as speaking Maltese at home. There was Malta journalist suggesting that the reports were a 7% drop in this group since the 2011 Census, with drawn up to be leaked. just under 32,000. What is really troubling is the fact that these The new SBS Radio schedule is expected to be sackings have continued to weaken the institution, published in the coming weeks. We hope that this which is one of the pillars of the rule of law, set up to small drop in the number of those speaking Maltese at protect the financial services industry and the country home will not translate into any further cuts to the from corruption and money laundering. current already low allocation of two hours per week It is difficult not to construe the sackings as a sure of Maltese language programs. way of silencing those who drew up the leaked reports Unless on this occasion we are treated fairly and and precluding any further FIAU action on the equitably, the Maltese community will have no option instances of alleged corruption uncovered in the other than to protest in the strongest terms and seek reports. As the editorial in The Malta Independent on justice for our ageing community. Sunday (July 2) put it, “These goings on at the FIAU, the government’s possible hand in all of this as well as Victor Borg the government’s silence on the issue inspire very little confidence in this or indeed any state institution MCCV President at all.” No. 143 • June 2017 Page 3 • MCCV News

alta’s 13th parliament will begin increase in social housing the process which will lead to a projects and elimination of M Constitutional Convention in- allocation waiting lists; tended to modernise national institutions and ensuring Gozo is physically strengthen local democracy, reviving a and virtually connected to pledge first made by Prime Minister Joseph Malta, by pursuing an un- Muscat in the run-up to the 2013 election. dersea tunnel project, a fast The pledge to renew the nation’s Constitu- ferry service and also a tion was made in an address delivered by second fibre-optic cable for President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, stronger internet connecti- marking the opening of parliament following vity; discussions about the the June 3 general election. removal of parliamentary In line with tradition, the address was privilege for MPs; ambas- written by the Prime Minister but read out by prioritise ensuring Air Malta remains a viable sadors and high-ranking the head of state Ms Coleiro Preca from the airline. “Even here, we need national coopera- regulatory officials to be scrutinised by Par- Speaker's chair. tion among political parties, stakeholders and liament. “This government believes that the new unions,” the speech noted. The Opposition backed the nomination of Constitution can be the tool that unites our The government’s key aims include: ensur- Anglu Farrugia as Speaker, with Opposition country and prepares it for the challenges ing economic growth remains above the Euro- leader Simon Busuttil saying it was doing so ahead,” the President read, having started the pean average; developing new economic “despite us not being consulted.” Dr Busuttil speech by it would take more than days or sectors such as fintech, life sciences and logis- said the Opposition was willing to extend “a weeks to heal “scars of division”, and that tics; creating an Environmental Court and hand of cooperation” at the start of the legis- doing so would require a cultural change enshrining protection of public spaces, the lature. across the nation. right to clean air and environmental protection After motions to appoint Dr Farrugia and Parliament’s opening address is intended to in the Constitution; introducing electoral deputy speaker Claudette Buttigieg were lay out the incoming government’s legisla- quotas to encourage women to enter politics both passed unanimously, Malta’s parlia- tive programme, and in a 20-minute speech and reducing the voting age to 16; increasing mentary members took it in turns to take Ms Coleiro Preca listed some of the Labour childcare allowances by €200 for low-income their parliamentary oaths and assume their government’s priorities for its five-year term families and €100 for everyone else, with seats as MPs. in government. every mother receiving €300 for each child she [Source: www.timesofmalta.com] In the immediate term, the government will gave birth to or adopted; a “substantial”

Continued from page 1 that there are more than two parties in The PN warned that, although Labour Security; Owen Bonnici – Minister of Parliament. On 16 June the Constitu- won the election, Dr Muscat will remain Justice, Culture, and Local Government; tional Court dismissed the case on the under pressure as magistrates investigate Helena Dalli – Minister of European basis that the list of candidates submit- claims of corruption made against Konrad Affairs and Equality; Konrad Mizzi – ted by the parties to the Electoral Com- Mizzi and chief of staff Keith Schembri. Minister of Tourism; Ian Borg – Minis- mission was the “conclusive evidence” Dr Mizzi was appointed Minister of ter of Transport and Infrastructure. of which party they were representing. Tourism in the new cabinet, while Keith The PD leader Marlene Farrugia and All PD candidates had contested under Schembri was re-appointed as the Prime her husband Godfrey Farrugia were the PN ticket. Minister’s chief of staff. elected to Parliament in casual The landslide win came as a shock The full list of Ministers in the new cabi- elections. In a statement issued on 23 result to the PN, particularly following net is as follows: Joseph Muscat – Prime June, the PN said that its parliamentary the momentum that its electoral cam- Minister; Christian Cardona – Minister group will cooperate with Marlene and paign had gathered, focusing on the duty for the Economy, Investment, and Small Godfrey Farrugia in the same way they of citizens to stand up and be counted Business; Evarist Bartolo – Minister of cooperated during the last election against alleged corruption of the govern- Education and Employment: Chris campaign, when the two parties joined ment. The PN leadership assumed full Fearne – Minister of Health; José forces for Forza Nazzjonali. “The responsibility for the defeat and Herrera – Minister of Environment, Sus- Opposition's parliamentary group will resigned as a group. “The PN needs new tainable Development, and Climate provide an effective and strong opposi- leadership. I will stay on until a new Change; Michael Falzon – Minister of tion and it will keep Joseph Muscat's leader is elected and sworn in as Oppo- Family and Children's Rights; Edward government under constant scrutiny,” sition Leader,” Dr Busuttil told a press Scicluna – Minister of Finance; Carmelo the party said. conference at PN headquarters held on 5 Abela – Minister of Foreign Affairs & [Sources: www.independent.com.mt June. The new leader is expected to be Trade Promotion; Justyne Caruana – and www.timesofmalta.com] appointed by mid-September. Minister of Gozo; Michael Farrugia – Minister of Home Affairs and National Page 4 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017

lthough it has been labelled as the those where children have two fathers, or options when deciding on what surname Marriage Equality Bill, what the two mothers, instead of the traditional they will adopt after marriage. The couple A Maltese Parliament will start male and female model. It also helps avoid will be able to adopt the surname of either discussing is a raft of changes to existing situations when parents are asked to fill one of the parties to the marriage, which laws. official forms related to their children. The means that a man can decide to take on his The stated aim of the Bill, piloted by change also provides legal clarity for same future wife’s surname, unlike today. The Equality Minister Helena Dalli, is to -sex marriages in all aspects of the law. spouses can also take on both of their “modernise the institution of marriage” so 4. The ‘person who gave birth’ instead surnames in the order of their choice as that all consenting adult couples would of ‘mother’. The change is in line with the long as the new surname is no longer than have the right to enter into marriage. other provisions for gender neutral four combined surnames. They may also The proposal is not a standalone law references. This is particularly important opt to retain their own surnames. These but consists of changes to the Marriage in the case of a lesbian couple since it may choices had already been included in the Act and several other laws, ensuring that be necessary to distinguish between the Civil Unions Law three years ago. references to husband, wife, mother and parent who gave birth to the child and the Example: father become gender neutral, among other parent. This change also suggests If John Borg is getting married to Joan other things. The aim is for the institution that the government is looking ahead to a Abela Baldacchino, the couple can opt for of marriage to be open to same-sex situation where sperm and egg donation any of these models after marriage: couples, with all the rights and obligations become legal, which is the only way for a Retain their own: John Borg and Joan this brings about. lesbian couple to conceive naturally. Abela Baldacchino The key changes the government is 5. You are now… spouses. The epical Adopt wife’s surname: John Abela proposing include: moment of any marriage is the official Baldacchino and Joan Abela Baldacchino declaration that the couple are now “man 1. The laws that will be changed. The Adopt man’s surname: John Borg and Joan and wife”. But the rule book will change to Bill includes changes to the Criminal Borg Code, the Code of Civil Organisation and the gender neutral “spouses” to reflect the Procedure, the Civil Code, the newfound diversity of marriage. However, Combination: John Abela Baldacchino Interpretation Act, the Marriage Act, the a new proviso will be introduced, which Borg and Joan Abela Baldacchino Borg Civil Unions Act and other subsidiary allows couples to indicate to the marriage 8. Religious protection legislation. registrar the form of words to be used A same-sex couple will not be able to 2. ‘Spouse’ instead of ‘husband and during the ceremony. demand that its marriage be conducted by wife’. References to “husband and wife” 6. Maiden surname to surname at birth a priest or under the aegis of the Church will be changed to the gender neutral In view of the surname choices for married because the new law introduces a “spouse” to cover situations when the couples, the law removes reference to provision that protects an official of a partners are two men or two women. It maiden surname in relation to the woman, religious body from being obliged to also provides legal clarity for all married replacing it instead with a reference to the solemnise a particular form of marriage couples. surname any of the two spouses had at not recognised by the religious body he 3. ‘Parents’ instead of ‘father and birth and after marriage. forms part of. mother’. The gender neutral “parents” 7. Which surname shall we take up? will recognise all family set ups, including The law will offer married couples more [Source: timesofmalta.com]

n 5 June the Victorian This collaboration enables the suspension of this subject will no longer Curriculum and Assessment national provision of small candidature proceed as advised previously. Should O Authority (VCAA) wrote to languages studies at the senior enrolments in the future fall below a the Maltese Community Council of secondary level. In the Victorian total of 15 students nationally, the Victoria to advise that the accreditation Certificate of Education (VCE) VCAA will write to the MCCV again of the Maltese language for VCE language studies are offered at Units 1 with further advice. purposes has been extended. to 4. VCAA would like to acknowledge VCAA participates with other In 2016. the VCAA wrote to advise the contribution made by the Maltese- curriculum and assessment authorities MCCV of the possible suspension of speaking community and others in across Australia in the delivery and Maltese, due to its very low candidature supporting the study of the Maltese assessment of many language subjects in 2014 and 2015. As the national language across Australia. I hope the through the Collaborative Curriculum candidature for Maltese was above 15 information offered here will assist you and Assessment Framework for in 2016, the CCAFL National to understand the current situation and Languages (CCAFL) Project. Reference Group has agreed that the the possibilities for the future. No. 143 • June 2017 MCCV News • Page 5 Australian Census 2016 Statistics

he release of 2016 Census statistics started recently. T The initial release includes some data relating to the Maltese population in Australia. First generation Maltese The total number of first generation Maltese (persons born in Malta) at 2016 Census time stood at 37,613. The largest number, just under half, were living in Victoria (47.5%), followed by NSW (38.5%), South Australia (6.6%), Western Maltese language spoken at The number of speakers of Australia (3.8%), and the home Maltese was largest in Victoria Australian Capital Territory The number of those who stated (52.8%), followed by NSW (2.4%). Compared to the figure that they spoke Maltese at home (38.5%), SA, (4.2%), WA (2.6%) from the 2011 Census, where was 31,987. In the 2011 Census and ACT (1.2%). there were 41,270 Malta-born the corresponding figure was More information relating to people in Australia, this represents 34,396. This represents a Maltese in Australia will be a drop of 3,657 persons (8.9%) reduction of 2,409 persons or 8.5% released in due course. over a five-year interval or an over the five-year period, an average of 1.8% per year. average loss of 1.7% per annum. Commitment to the Maltese community – a new scholarship opportunity o you know a current year-12 famous cafes and street life of Lygon holder of an Australian permanent student or someone hoping to Street and Sydney Road. With more than resident visa or holder of a permanent D return to study next year? 1800 undergraduate and postgraduate humanitarian visa, who is under the age of The Hope Scholarship has been students, we attract many high achievers 30 at time of application. Additional established at the Faculty of Pharmacy and have educated leaders in our field for criteria requests that the applicant has and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash the past 130 years. lived in Victoria for at least two-years University Parkville to help support a Our courses combine work experience and prior to application, and will be required new student commencing in 2018. The creative teaching methods to expose to submit evidence of their genealogy (if scholarship will provide $10,000 students to current practices and applicable) and a statement on how the annually over four years to the recipient, challenges they'll face as highly qualified scholarship would benefit their education supporting their study during their pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. and their vision for the future. Please undergraduate degree at the faculty. Available courses review full eligibility and selection criteria This scholarship will also preference a The faculty offers degrees in both for the Hope Scholarship here. student who is of Maltese descent, which Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science. Applications is defined as either the applicant was born Commencing students can choose from Applications for this and other merit and in Malta or has a parent or grandparent the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) / equity scholarships must be submitted born in Malta. Please note that Maltese Master of Pharmacy degree, of which they during your VTAC application process. heritage is a preference only and not a will receive scholarship support during Please ensure you have also placed an requirement for scholarship eligibility. their undergraduate studies; or undergraduate Faculty of Pharmacy and The Faculty alternatively the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences degree within Recognised as one of Australia's most Pharmaceutical Sciences or Bachelor of your preferences at Monash University. innovative and awarded faculties, the Pharmaceutical Sciences (Advanced with For more information Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Honours) programs, to which the Please contact Rachel Crooks, Student Sciences is at the forefront of both scholarship will cover the duration of the Recruitment Officer, Pharmacy and research and education in our field. We degree. Pharmaceutical Sciences on telephone are a specialist campus located in ‘the Eligibility and Selection +61 3 9903 9594 or e-mail Parkville strip’, Australia’s premier Applications are available for an [email protected] for more health and biomedical precinct, which is Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a information on our degrees and close to central Melbourne and the scholarship eligibility. Page 6 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017

case, the State of Victoria. The first, assisting in, and protecting, Mal- tese national interests and Maltese- Continued from page 1 Australians, consists of an ongoing service. He continued on the work of his predeces- sors to whom he wanted to pay his respects and thank them for the work they had done in this area. Mr Grech said that he and his staff always go the extra mile to serve the com- munity. During his term of office his office received and processed about 3,500 passport applications, and over 400 Maltese citizen- ship applications. Mr Grech then spoke about his role in Consul-on-the-move, a programme which was launched in May 2016 and he was MCCV President Mr Victor Borg relationship with you and we regard you as committed to make successful. During his welcomed those present to the community one of our own,” he said. visits to the various locations he delivered event to mark the end of the term of office Mr Borg said that, on his recent visit to about 300 consular services. The pro- of Mr Victor Grech as Consul General. Malta, he caught up with former Consuls gramme was well coordinated by the Malta Mr Borg briefly spoke about Mr Grech General in served in Melbourne, Angele High Commission in Canberra. diplomatic career, having served in Azzopardi and Charles Mifsud, both of To promote trade and investments, as part various posts overseas, including Brussels whom spoke very highly of Australia. He of the Consular Corps, Mr Grech attended and London on behalf of the Maltese said that he is “sure that the same thing will various events organised by the Department government before his posting to Victoria happen with Mr Grech, who will in future of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Victoria. in October 2013. Mr Grech is a senior recall his time in Australia as one of great These included visits to Gippsland region, member of the public service which he experience, meeting another large section Phillip Island, Mildura, Ballarat, Bendigo, joined in 1976. of the Maltese community, knowing that Geelong and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Mr Borg said that he is always pleased to we still hold Malta in our hearts and we still Research Centre in Melbourne. see a career diplomat posted to the State of believe we are part of the larger global Mal- During his term of office Mr Grech was Victoria as it raises the status of the Mal- tese communities.” involved in visits to Melbourne by Opposi- tese community in Melbourne. Finally, Mr Borg thanked Mr Grech for all tion Leader, Dr Simon Busuttil, in Novem- Mr Borg said that Mr Grech impressed his efforts and wished him and his family ber 2013 and by the President of Malta, Her our community because he took part in just well in the future. Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca in about every social activity in Victoria. Next to speak was MSSP Provincial Fr July 2016. “There is one thing about the Maltese Ivano Burdian, who, on behalf of his MSSP Mr Grech also assisted the Honourable community: if you become Consul General brothers, thanked Mr Grech for the very Bruce Atkinson, the President of the Legis- and you can’t dance, you’ll learn how to good relationship that was established and lative Council of Victoria, for a 3-day visit dance before you go home because we the service that he provided to the Maltese to Malta, which was very successful. have so many associations and their social community during his tenure of office. Mr Mr Grech recalled his office’s support in activities every year,” he said. Grech was always ready to help when conjunction with the youth organisation Mr Borg referred to Mr Grech’s needed. He invited to visit the MSSP in St Generation Australian Maltese (GAM) in persona involvement in the Consul-on-the- Agatha’s at Rabat and to maintain an promoting and showing the popular Maltese move programme by travelling to various ongoing relationship. feature film, Simshar, in Melbourne. He locations in Australia and New Zealand to In his reply address, Mr Grech said that also referred to other cultural exchanges that accept Maltese citizenship and passports for every beginning of a posting commit- he promoted during his term. from Maltese citizens living in or near ment there is an end. He thanked the Mr Grech thanked all those involved in the places where there is no Maltese diploma- MCCV for holding a farewell reception for teaching of the Maltese language. He tic or consular presence with the required him. He said it was unusual to get such a praised the work of the Maltese Language biometric equipment. This saved these farewell at the end of a posting and the only Teachers Association of Victoria (MLTAV) people from incurring significant travel one he could recall was in Strasbourg. under the leadership of Mark Bonello and and Mr Grech said that during the term of the work of the MCCV led by Edwidge accommodation costs that they would office it is assisting and guiding people who Borg to otherwise have incurred to obtain these experience problems that motivates him in encourage the learning of our language. He services. carrying out the duties of Consul thanked Malta’s Education Minister Evarist Mr Grech travelled to Western General. He was looking forward with Bartolo who approved a grant of about Australia, Queensland, South Australia, confidence that he would be able to serve 10,000 Euros in 2015 to the MLTAV. Tasmania, Northern Territory and New well when appointed to the role. Mr Grech thanked MCCV President Vic- Zealand to deliver these consular Mr Grech said that the work of the Consul tor Borg for his dedication and energy and services under this programme. General is broadly divided into two areas: his predecessor Prof. Maurice Cauchi, for Mr Borg wished Mr Grech well on his first, assisting in, and protecting, Maltese their support. He thanked the media and the next appointment. “You certainly showed national interests and Maltese-Australians, religious orders for their invaluable services a lot of effort and wisdom and we always and second, the promotion of trade, invest- to the community. Mr Borg then presented welcomed your counsel from time to time. ment, tourism, and cultural exchanges Mr Grech with a small gift as a farewell As a community, we’ve had a very close between Malta and the host state, in this memento. No. 143 • June 2017 MCCV News • Page 7

he second part of proceedings at the was appointed Professor of Pathology, Background Persons in Australia and New Consul General’s farewell reception Chairman of the Bioethics Consultative Zealand (2008), Under One Umbrella: A T held on 18 June at the Maltese Committee in the Ministry of Health, and History of the Maltese Community Council Centre in Parkville consisted of the Chairman of the Gozo Health Council. After of Victoria 1958-2008 (2009). presentation of the MCCV Community 11 years living in Malta, Prof Cauchi Awards 2016. returned to Australia in 2003. In 2012 the MCCV established its annual Prof Cauchi has represented the MCCV on MCCV Community Awards to publicly various committees both in Australia and recognise, and show its appreciation for, the overseas. His current membership of the valuable contribution of Maltese people to Council for Maltese Living Abroad and his the enrichment of the Maltese community in past presidency of the Federation of Maltese Victoria, whether by their contribution to Living Abroad are an indication of his scholarship, education, welfare services, commitment and involvement. culture, the arts and generally to the Prof Cauchi has also maintained a regular wellbeing of our Maltese community. contribution to Maltese newspapers, This year the MCCV honoured seven particularly in relation to issues affecting members of our community who have made Maltese living overseas. a significant contribution to various aspects For three years, between 1988 and1991, of our community life. The Awards were Prof Cauchi was Chairman of the Ethnic presented to the successful nominees, Communities’ Council of Victoria which namely: represents the interests of all Victorian • Education & Scholarship: Prof. Maurice residents born overseas. MR ALFRED CACHIA Cauchi Prof Cauchi served as MCCV President for Alfred Cachia was born in Zebbug, Malta • Culture: Mr Alfred Cachia and a total period of fourteen years, including the in 1939. At 20 years of age in 1959 he Ms Marlene Scicluna (in absentia) two consecutive terms of two years each married his wife Victoria (Vicky) and they ending in 2014. For many years, he has have four children, 7 grandchildren and 4 • Welfare Services: Fr Edwin Agius mssp organised and directed the development of great grandchildren. • General services to the community: Mr the MCCV library at the Maltese Centre, in Alfred is a skilled carpenter and in Malta Vincent Calleja, Mrs Marlene Xerri Parkville, which contains the largest he specialized in carpentry work in various and Mr Charles Belli collection of books and other publications churches. He also attended the school of about Malta, its history, culture and arts, design and carving. He is passionate literature outside Malta. about Maltese culture and folklore. Prof Cauchi continues to support MCCV Alfred arrived in Australia on the 6th initiatives and to serve the Maltese January 1963 and was initially employed as community in Victoria and overseas. a carpenter and joiner. He later specialised His other community commitments have in the manufacture of quality and included: President of the Maltese Literature reproduction furniture. Group (1984-1986); President of the Among the quality furniture that Alfred Federated Maltese Council of Australia produced are the altar, the pews and the (1988-1991); Chairman of the Commission Bambina niche in St Paul’s Chapel in for Maltese Abroad (Ministry for Social Parkville. Policy, Malta 1992-1994) and Chairman of Some 35 years ago Alfred achieved his the Malta Migration Museum (2001-2003) dream and built his house at Hoppers (www.maltamigration.com). Crossing in the style of a Maltese farm For his services to the community, in 1991 house. Many community members have Prof Cauchi was made a Member of the PROF. MAURICE CAUCHI enjoyed his hospitality and companionship. Order of Australia (AM). In 1992 the Maurice Cauchi was born in Għarb, Gozo Alfred is extremely competent in the Maltese Government awarded Prof Cauchi Maltese language and an accomplished poet. in 1936. He studied at the Lyceum and the Medalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika Royal University of Malta and graduated For many years, he has been a keen member (MQR), the ‘Medal for Services to the of the Maltese Literature group, regularly MD in 1961. The following year he Republic’ of Malta. proceeded to the UK to pursue further participating in presentations of the group Over the years, Prof Cauchi made a studies and obtained his M.Sc and Ph.D in and presenting some of his work. significant contribution to scholarship and Cancer Research at the Royal Marsden Alfred is also an accomplished musician. education and gave a high profile to the Hospital, University of London in 1967. He is a member of the Klabb Għannejja Maltese community. He has written and Maltin and regularly takes part in għana In 1969 Prof Cauchi proceeded to published several books on health, migration Melbourne, Australia to take up the post of sessions playing his folk guitar, which he and various aspects of Maltese community himself designed and manufactured. Senior Lecturer in Pathology at Monash and culture. University. Later he was appointed Director Amongst other hobbies Alfred is a keen His impressive list of books and of Haematology and Immunology at the motor cyclist and enjoys regular runs in the publications relating to migration include: Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, and Victorian Countryside. Maltese Migrants in Australia (1990), The Clinical Associate Professor at both the Maltese Migrant Experience (1999), Worlds During the construction of the Parkville University of Melbourne and Monash Apart – Migration in Modern English University Medical Schools. Literature (2002), Maltese Achievers in In 1992 Prof Cauchi returned to Malta and Australia (2006), A Who’s Who of Maltese- Continued on page 8 Page 8 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017

Continued from page 7 During her 14 years in that role at SBS Centre he was of great assistance to the Radio, Marlene made a significant planning committee and carried out odd jobs contribution to culture within the Maltese as required. community in Australia. With her Alfred has been exemplary and a good role professionalism as a broadcaster and her model for many young members of the mastery of the Maltese language, she became community. a household name among the Maltese in Melbourne. For 10 years, she was the Senior Producer for the Maltese Language Program, a position she held until the rescheduling of programs on SBS Radio in 2013, when Maltese language programs were reduced from 9 hours to 2 hours per week. She soon returned to SBS Radio for another two years, after SBS agreed to temporarily restore two one- hour Maltese language programs per week until 2015. As broadcaster at SBS Radio, Marlene interviewed numerous Maltese and 1971 as an assistant Priest at St Bernadette Australian personalities, including Presidents Parish in Sunshine. and Prime Ministers of Malta and other In 1981 he returned to Malta and was visiting Maltese politicians, musicians and appointed as the Master of Novices. He artists. became a member of the MSSP General She has also presented numerous Council and in 1994 was appointed as the MS MARLENE SCICLUNA (in absentia) director of St Joseph’s Home in Hamrun. Marlene Scicluna was born in Sydney in community events both in Malta and Australia. Marlene attended two Conventions In 1995 Fr Agius returned to Australia 1969 of an Aboriginal mother and an initially as an assistant priest and in 1998 American father. When she was three years for Maltese Living Abroad in Malta, both as a main speaker and as a reporter for SBS became the Parish Priest of St Bernadette of age, she was adopted by a Maltese couple Parish in Sunshine. and taken to Malta, where she was brought up Radio. in the village of Xagħra in Gozo. In 2011 Marlene co-founded nisġa, a not- In 2004 he was appointed Chaplain to the Maltese at Parkville and later the Rector at Marlene was very active in Performing Arts. for-profit organisation set up to promote and enhance Maltese culture and cuisine in Parkville. He served for two terms as a At the young age of six, she started singing in member of the Provincial Council. local Song Contests and won several Melbourne. nisġa organises an annual festivals. She also performed in numerous Maltese Cook Off competition, where 10 Since his arrival at Parkville, Fr Agius stage productions in Xagħra directed by teams made up of 3 members cook Maltese has been Chaplain for the Maltese Chevalier Julian Refalo Rapa. traditional dishes. Community Council of Victoria and has worked tirelessly in providing religious Marlene’s interest in, and contribution to, More recently, Marlene was Director, Executive Producer, Presenter & Editor of services to the community. He has given Maltese culture started while she was living great spiritual leadership and comfort to in Gozo. In the first half of the 1990s she Maltese DownUnder, a Maltese cultural TV show produced in Melbourne and aired on many members of the Maltese and general volunteered as a Choreographer for Carnival community. dances and stage productions in the village of the community TV Channel 31. Xaghra in 1994 and for stage productions at The program showcased Maltese cultural Fr Agius is also on a roster for the Royal the Oratory of Don Bosco in Victoria in 1996. heritage, the arts, music, food, travel, cultural Melbourne Hospital where he attends at short notice and at all hours of the day. Between 1993 and 1998 Marlene worked as events and sport. Its aim was to inform and a Physical Education Teacher at St Francis entertain its audience through stories that He has been extremely helpful in Primary School, Victoria, Gozo. inspire and strengthen the pride of all Maltese providing weekly masses for the MCCV Australians. Planned Activity Groups at Sunshine and In 1989, Marlene was introduced to Parkville. He is constantly in demand to broadcasting by Joe Borg Ghigo in the Some segments were presented in Maltese for Maltese native speakers and some in officiate at marriage celebrations, baptisms weekly PBS Radio magazine from Gozo - and requiem masses. Mill-Gzira ta' Calypso – formerly known as English for the younger generation of Mit-Tokk t'Għawdex. She was the presenter Australians of Maltese descent wishing to He is also the director of the Spiritual for 10 years until 1998. know more about their Maltese family Program and responsible for organising heritage. Unfortunately, the program had to religious activities at St Paul’s Chapel for For six years following her return to be discontinued due to a lack of sponsorship. Christmas, Easter, Maltese feast days and Australia in 1998, Marlene was the days of obligation. He maintains a choreographer for the Young Maltese FR EDWIN AGIUS mssp meaningful contact with Maltese families Australian Dancers, a group of 20 young who seek his counsel from time to time. He Australians of Maltese descent, performing Fr Edwin Agius mssp was born in Malta. He is a much-respected member of the Maltese traditional dances at various joined the Missionary Society of St Paul as community. multicultural events around Melbourne. an aspirant at the age of 12 years. He Fr Agius attends MCCV Executive and In Australia, Marlene settled in Victoria and commenced his novitiate in 1961 and was ordained in Malta on the 22 March 1969. Council Meetings on a regular basis. His resumed her career in broadcasting. She contribution is very much appreciated. started off as a contributor for Maltese Following his ordination, he was appointed Language Programs on SBS Radio and in as a teacher as St Paul’s Missionary College 2001 became a permanent Broadcast in Malta. Journalist. He arrived in Australia on the 4th February Continued on page 9 No. 143 • June 2017 MCCV News • Page 9

Continued from page 8

MR CHARLES BELLI Charles Belli was born in Msida, Malta in 1932. He was educated at St Aloysius MRS MARLENE XERRI College in Malta. He arrived in Australia in Marlene Xerri was born in Hamrun, 1954 aged 22 years. He married his wife Malta. After the war her family moved to Doris on the 17th September 1955. They St Julians. In 1964 her family migrated to have three children, Raymond, Anthony and MR VINCENT CALLEJA Melbourne, Australia, initially settling in Yvonne, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Vincent Calleja was born in 1931 in Thornbury and later moving to Valletta, Malta and married his wife Lillian Thomastown. Charles and his wife built their home in in 1953. They had 2 children, Maria and Marlene’s first job was in the notes West Street, Glenroy, where they raised their Natalin, 2 grandchildren and 2 great printing and issue branch of the Reserve family and have resided since. Shortly after grandchildren. Bank of Australia. Later, Marlene moved arriving in Australia Charles continued with his education and obtained a Certificate of At the age of 18 years Vincent joined the to Unilever as an invoice clerk. In 1967, Civil and Civic Industrial Chemistry Malta Police Force, an occupation which he she married Andrew and left work in 1968 (Oxford) at RMIT Melbourne and a held until his departure for Australia in 1955. to start a family. Together they have three daughters. Certificate of Business Management at Vincent arrived in Australia on the 10th Melbourne University. March 1955. Amongst his occupations, Late in 1970s Marlene became involved Charles worked for over 8 years as Vincent joined the Australian Post Office as with the Maltese Community Council as a Production Assistant and later Production a postman and later promoted to the volunteer, working in the office at the old Manager with the Commonwealth Aircraft investigation section, becoming a senior house in Parkville, answering phones and Corporation. Later he spent almost 20 years security officer. He retired in 1988 aged 57. help with Social Security (Centrelink) forms. Later Marlene was employed as a at Port Philip Mills in Melbourne as Dye Vincent was a founding member of the Social Worker Aide, working with all the House Manager and Centre Controller. Newport Maltese Association together with social workers employed by the MCCV. Charles served on various sport and social other prominent Maltese Community Marlene also worked on other MCCV committees in Malta and in Melbourne. For members living in the Newport area. For projects, e.g. the Home Visitation Program. some 30 years he held the position of some 22 years Vincent served the President of the Broadmeadows Soccer Club Association as a Vice President and held the In 1990 Marlene enrolled at the RMIT and other positions on its executive position of President between 1994 and 2010. campus in Coburg as a mature age student. In 1994 she graduated with a Bachelor of committee. Vince served the Maltese Community Arts in Multicultural Studies. At its meeting held in October 2016 the Council of Victoria initially as the Social MCCV Executive Committee awarded an Secretary and for 6 years held the office of Marlene worked at Centrelink as a MCCV Community Award to Charles Belli Vice President. bilingual officer on the Multilingual Call Centre line. She later transferred to the for Community Services over a period of Vincent has for some 25 years assisted Family Call Centre. She was also many years, including his significant with organising the Maltese Cultural festival employed by the National Accreditation contribution to the establishment and and was heavily involved with the running of Authority for Translators and Interpreters management of the MCCV library. Bingo sessions at the Maltese Centre in (NAATI) as an Interpreter for the Maltese On Thursday 15th December 2016 MCCV Parkville. Community. President Victor Borg and Vice President Vincent and his recently deceased wife While working, Marlene remained active Joe Stafrace attended at the Belli home to Lillian, were a formidable team in raising within the Maltese Community Council personally inform and congratulate Charles funds and running activities at the Maltese Ladies Auxiliary (LA) as a volunteer, as in Belli of the MCCV Community Award, as Community Centre. Their regular visits to the role of Treasurer and later as President. they had been advised that he was in a poor the Centre and their involvement in all state of health. He was extremely pleased activities was a clear indication of their The Ladies Auxiliary provided support during the Maltese Cultural Festival, Fete, and expressed his gratitude to the Council commitment and their dedication to the for the award. advancement of members of the Maltese and functions for VIPs visiting the Maltese Sadly, three days later, on Sunday 18th community. Centre. The Ladies Auxiliary continues to run weekly bingo session on Tuesdays for December 2016, Charles Belli passed away Vincent was awarded the Medal for the aging Maltese in our community which peacefully surrounded by his family. Meritorious to the Community and the Order it is an important social & recreational Mr Belli’s widow, Mrs Doris Belli, accepted of Australia Medial (OAM) for his activity. the presentation of the Award Certificate. outstanding voluntary contributions to the Maltese Community in Victoria. Marlene has been President of the Ladies auxiliary for over 20 years. Page 10 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017

MHA Monthly Event—May 2017 Picture: http://www.stgeorge.org.mt Picture: n Tuesday 16 May 2017, Joseph Borg delivered a O lecture on Canon Giovanni Pietro Francesco Agius de Soldanis. Better known as de Soldanis, he was a Maltese linguist, historian and cleric from the island of Gozo. He wrote the first lexicon and systematic grammar of the Maltese language and he was the first librarian of the Biblioteca Publica, the precursor of the National Library of Malta. De Soldanis was born on 31 October 1712 in Rabat, Gozo, to Andrea Hagius and Valenzia Sultana. He was baptised in the Parish Church of St George the following day with the surname Agius. He later added de Soldanis, a Latinised version of his mother's surname, Sultana. In 1729, at the age of 17, he was appointed Canon of the Gozo cathedral by Bishop Paul Alpheran de Bussan, who recognised his intellectual powers and extended him protection and preferment in his ecclesiastical career. De Soldanis was ordained a priest six years later in 1735. De Soldanis was interested in history, culture, archaeology and the Maltese Language. He had an extensive library and a museum in his house, which contained various old coins and medals, inscriptions, pottery and statues. He wrote several manuscripts in different languages but Pinto. He wrote the first grammar of the also very critical about the introduction they were published overseas, as Malta Maltese language in 1757, in which he of loan words into the Maltese had no printing presses at the time. His hypothe-sised that Maltese originated language. Il Gozo Anticomoderno did for Gozo from the Punic language. However, this In 1758 de Soldanis returned to Gozo what G. F. Abela had done for Malta in was later disproven. Maltese is now but moved to Malta in 1763, when the 1647. regarded as a Semitic language Knight Louis Guerin de Tencin, In 1750 de Soldanis published descended from Siculo Arabic. founder of the library, chose him to Mustafa' Bassa, dealing with the De Soldanis also wrote a four-volume become the first librarian of the Conspiracy of the Slaves, which had Maltese-Latin-Italian dictionary, not Biblioteca Pubblica in Valletta. De occurred two years earlier. It landed published until fairly recently. It is Soldanis was given a house in Valletta him in trouble with Grandmaster Pinto regarded as a major work about the to stay in, plus a stipend of 10 scudi per de Fonseca, as it criticised the Order Maltese language, as it presents a unique month. He immediately started to and argued for the rights of the insight into the life and legends of the catalogue every book and manuscript in Maltese. De Soldanis had to go to time. the library, a job that he did Rome to defend himself before the De Soldanis was very keen to keep the exceedingly well. Pope but was forgiven. Maltese language alive. He proposed In 1768 he wrote his last will but In 1757 he graduated in Law at that his new Latin alphabet should be rescinded it a year later. He died in Padua and a year later was allowed to adopted to teach Maltese, Latin and 1770 and was buried at St Paul's practice as a lawyer by Grand Master Italian to facilitate translations. He was Collegiate Church in Valletta. No. 143 • June 2017 MCCV News • Page 11

ollowing a thorough national range of programs, social enterprises and search and the identification of a partnerships. F number of highly-qualified ‘Christian has always been a strong candidates, the Bishops Commission for advocate on behalf of his communities Catholic Education announced today, 17 and stakeholders. He will speak clearly May, that Christian Zahra will serve as and passionately on behalf of Catholic the next executive director of the school students, teachers and families in National Catholic Education this new role. Commission. Speaking to the Bishops Conference on Mr Zahra, 44, was born at Pietà, Malta 17 May, Mr Zahra said, ‘It’s a great and migrated to Australia with his family honour for me to be appointed to this when he was three years of age. He grew important role and I thank the Bishops up and was educated in Traralgon, Commission for Catholic Education for Victoria. He holds a Bachelor of the opportunity to serve. Economics from La Trobe University and Mr Christian Zahra ‘Catholic schools are a critical a Master of Assessment and Evaluation component of the education system in from the University of Melbourne. new role, he will help to shape the Australia and for 200 years they have He served as a Labour MP in the educational opportunities of the one in made a significant contribution to Australian House of Representatives from five children and young people being Australian society. October 1998 to October 2014 educated in the 1,737 Catholic schools ‘At the heart of all Catholic schools in representing the regional seat of across the country. Australia is a unique partnership between McMillian in Victoria. ‘As well as spending two terms in the the Church, passionate teachers and Making the announcement, Archbishop Federal Parliament, Christian has also principals, engaged parents and Timothy Costelloe, Chairman of the provided leadership to a number of government. I look forward to working Bishops Commission for Catholic organisations, both in management and collaboratively with all of these groups so Education, said, ‘Across a range of governance, with a focus on improving that Catholic schools can continue to spheres – including politics, community the lives of people, particularly those make their vital contribution to the development and business – Christian has experiencing disadvantage. Most recently, education of children and to Australian been a major contributor to Australian he led the Wunan Foundation, which society more generally.’ society over the past two decades. In this supports Indigenous Australians through a

he significant contribution to broadcasting of two Maltese T former public broadcasters and actresses, Josephine Zammit Cordina, 81, and Mary Grech, 80, were conferred with the Charles Arrigo Lifetime Achievement Award at the Malta Television Awards held on 6 May 2017. Josephine is well-known among the Maltese communities in Australia, having presented the Waltzing Matilda show broadcast on TVM and Channel 31 in Australia and also the radio show Boomerang on Radju Malta for many years. Mary Grech was among the first presenters on MTV when it was launched in 1962 and later on for many years on national radio and TVM. The MCCV congratulates both Josephine Zammit Cordina and Mary Grech on their achievements. From left: Mr Harry Zammit Cordina, Mrs Josephine Zammit Cordina and Mrs Mary Grech Page 12 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017

n 27 May 2017 the Missionary Society of St. Paul and the Maltese O Community Council of Victoria co- hosted a function at the Community Centre at Parkville to thank and farewell Fr Emmanuel Adami for his many years of service to the Maltese Community Council in Victoria. Prior to his farewell reception a special Mass was celebrated at St Pauls Chapel with Fr. Mark Grima the Superior General, Fr Ivano Burdin the Australian Provincial and other members of the MSSP society. At the reception Fr. Adami was greeted by a large crowd from the Maltese Peruvian Spanish and Australian Community who With his strong belief in Divine were anxious to express their gratitude for for a period of 4 years and in Perth Western Australia for 6 months. Between 1974 and Providence, Fr Adami constantly sought his work within their respective donations from community members to assist communities. 1977 he served at Horsley Park in NSW. In 1977 he was assigned to Peru as an in completing his projects and finance the MCCV President Victor Borg, MSSP services provided to his adopted children. assistant Priest to administer to the poor and Superior General Fr Mark Grima and MSSP In 1989 Fr Adami returned to Australia Provincial Fr Ivano Burdian addressed the disadvantage of the Parish which had been assigned by the local Bishop to the MSSP. and has been acting as a Chaplain to members gathering. They all made reference to the of the Maltese, Peruvian and Spanish many exceptional qualities of Fr. Adami and Some years later, he became the Parish Priest at Areqita. During this time, he communities. His unassuming and caring thanked him for all his years of dedicated manner, gentleness and his constant willing- experienced and observed the poverty and and committed service of the Lord. ness to help, have won him many friends. Fr Adami completed his novitiate at St deprivation of those unfortunates living in the Shanty towns in poor conditions and We were all sad to bid him farewell and a Agathas and studied Philosophy and safe return to Malta on the 5th June. theology at the University of Malta. He was virtual poverty. His experience moved him to embark on a We trust that he will enjoy his retirement ordained on the 3rd April 1965. He was and were pleased to hear that arrangements appointed as a prefect at St Joseph’s Home. special mission to assist the disadvantaged and abandoned children. His achievements were to be made for him to visit his old Between 1967 and 1969 he was assigned to friends, parishioners and children in Peru. We the oratory at St Joseph’s Birkirkara. in Peru include the establishment of a school, orphanage for badly deformed and mentally wish him good health and success in his Fr Adami arrived in Australia in 1969 and future endeavours. served at St Bernadette’s in North Sunshine retarded children church and medical centre.

id-19 t’April li għadda Bro Giovann il-ġodda tas-Soċjetà, tmexxi ukoll parroċċa Tabone, minn Nadur, Għawdex u Bro ġewwa il-provinċja ta’ Bataan. In-nies ta’din F Alex Żammit mill-Mosta, it-tnejn il-parroċċa jiddependu għall-għixien tagħhom membri tas-Soċjetà Missjunarja ta’ San minn dak li tipproduċi l-art speċjalment ross. Pawl, ġew ordnati djakni mill-ET Mons Naħseb li tieħdu pjaċir tkunu tafu ukoll li f’din Isqof Honesto Ongtioco DD, Isqof ta’ il-parroċċa, fejn hemm Fr Joe Cremona mssp Cubao, ġewwa l-Katidral ta’ Cubao, Manila, (fir-ritratt fuq il-lemin) bħala kappillan, grupp l-Filippini. Dan kien jum storiku għall- ta’ żgħażagħ Awstraljani mill-parroċċa ta’ MSSP, għax din kienet l-ewwel ordinazzjoni St.James the Appostle, f’Melbourne, mal- li qatt saret fil-Filippini ta’ membri MSSP. kappillan tagħhom Fr. Jude Pirotta, MSSP, Dawn iż-żewġ żgħażagħ kienu qed diġà marru tlett darbiet, bħala esperjenza jistudjaw fil-Filippini, fid-Dar tal- missjunarja. (Fr Cremona qiegħed iżur Formazzjoni Internazzjonali li s-Soċjetà Melbourne bħalissa.) Missjunarja ta’ San Pawl għandha f’Manila. Fid-Dar tal-Formazzjoni ġewwa Manila, Rev Alex u Giovann, wara li spiċċaw l- għall-grazzja t’Alla, hemm numru sabiħ ta’ istudji tal-filosofija fl-Università ta’ Malta, Appostle, Hoppers Crossing. It-tnejn li huma żgħażagħ li qed jippreparaw ruħhom ħalli għamlu sentejn esperjenza pastorali – sena ser jibqgħu hemm tliet ġimgħat, u wara ibiddlu għada pitgħada isiru missjunarji. Tul l-għaxar Malta u oħra l-Perù. Imbagħad, fl-2014 l-parroċċa. snin ta’ studju li jieħdu, dawn jgħixu, permezz marru l-Filippini. Għal dawn l-aħħar tliet Minn hawn huma jirritornaw lura Manila ta’ għotjiet mill- benefatturi minn Malta u snin segwew il-kors tat-teoloġija fl-Ateneo biex ikomplu l-aħħar sena ta’ studju, u jekk minn postijiet oħra. Dan isir, fost l-oħrajn, billi De Manila, università immexxija mill- Alla jrid, is-sena id-dieħla, għal ħabta ta’ wieħed iwaqqaf “Borża ta’ Studju”. Din Ġiżwiti. Ġunju, jordnaw saċerdoti missjunarji. tikkonsisti filli wieħed joffri 1,000 dollar L-għada tal-ordinazzjoni huma ġew l- Tajjeb li tkunu tafu li t-twaqqif tal-missjoni darba biss. B’hekk dak il-benefattur ikun jista’ Awstralja biex jeżerċitaw dan il-ministeru li s-Soċjetà Missjunarja ta’ San Pawl għandha jgħid li għen student, biex isir missjunarju. ġdid tad-djakonat. Fil-fatt, diġà għaddew fil-Filippini, taf il- bidu tagħha lil Fr. Ivano Mhux biss, imma l-istudent, meta isir qassis, ħmistax-il ġurnata fi-Blacktown, Sydney, Burdian, Awstraljan, fil-preżent Superjur jibqa’ jitlob għal dak il-benefattur li għenu fejn is-Soċjetà tieħu ħsieb il-Knisja ta’ San Reġjonali ta’ l-MSSP fl-Awstralja, kif ukoll lil jasal sa fuq l-altar. Franġisk, li tagħmel parti miċ-Ċentru Malti Fr. Lonnie Borg, minn Malta, li fil-preżent hu Għal aktar informazzjoni kif tistgħu ta’ La Vallette. Meta spiċċaw minn Sydney, ukoll qed jaqdi l-ministeru saċerdotali tiegħu twaqqfu din il-fondazzjoni tistgħu ġew Melbourne. Bħalissa, Rev. Alex qed fil- hawn fl-Awstralja. Din il-missjoni inbdiet fis tikkuntattjaw lil Fr. Norbert fuq Parroċċa ta’ St Bernardette, North Sunshine, sena 1999. Hemm is-Soċjetà, barra d-Dar [email protected] jew ċempel u Rev Giovann fil-parroċċa tá St. James the Internazzjonali għall-Formazzjoni tal-membri +365 21551159 jew +365 79265968. No. 143 • June 2017 MCCV News • Page 13

he Missionary Society of St Paul, Photo: catholicoutlook.org the Maltese Community Council of T Victoria and the Maltese community in Australia mourn the loss of Fr Claude Borg mssp, who passed away peacefully on Saturday 17th June at the Uniting Mulluana Residential Care, Blacktown in Sydney on 17 June 2017, aged 91 years. Former chaplain to the Diocese of Parramatta Maltese community, Fr Claude Borg was aged 91 and in his 71st year of profession and 65th year of his missionary priesthood. his talents. In addition to the Catechism A Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Classes that he held regularly every week nine priests at St. Paul’s Chapel in day and Mass and film show every weekend, Parkville Victoria on Tuesday 27 June he initiated a choir, a group of altar 2017 led by the MSSP Provincial Fr Ivano servers, stage drama, and various sports Burdian, Fr Edwin Agius mssp and Fr activities. He also made a considerable Lonnie Borg. The mass was followed by contribution to establishment of St Paul's burial at the nearby Carlton cemetery. Brigade and the creation of its uniform. His Born in Malta, Fr Claude began his joyful character with everyone, especially journey with the Paulists in 1938. He made with the young generation, continued to his first profession in 1945 and perpetual attract more young people to the Oratory. vows in 1948. He studied both at the Malta My five brothers and I attended regularly Seminary and University and was ordained at the Oratory. At the age of eight years I in Malta on the 22nd December 1951. attended the Oratory at the time that Fr Fr. Claude’s first assignment was at the Claude’s 65th Anniversary of Ordination to Claude was there. I became an Altar Server Oratory in Birkirkara for 4 years after the priesthood said, “Thank you for your and joined the Choir under Fr Claude, who which he was sent to our fledgling example of priestly dedication and fidelity. with great difficulty managed to persuade Australian mission in Melbourne in 1956. Your priesthood is a sign of hope and me to go on stage to sing—but he only He was assigned as a Maltese Chaplain at renewal of God’s everlasting love to his managed to do this once! Parkville. He was the first MSSP to be people.” Fr Claude was also very instrumental in appointed Parish priest of Our Lady of Close friend of Fr Claude, John Beale, my religious vocation. It was to him that I Victories Parish, Horsley Park in 1965 commented that Fr Claude just got on with expressed, for the first time, my wish to join where he cared for his people for 6 years the job, “he was a friend to all, everyone the MSSP. Of course, Fr Claude gave me before returning to Malta. In Malta he adored him wherever he went. He was a his full support and assurance of God’s served the MSSP in different official roles very religious man, he had to get on with the Love, not just with his kind words but more and was available for supply in different Lord’s work. He loved music and wherever so by being a role model. places. he went he would create a choir.” Fr Claude gave extra lessons every Fr Claude returned to Australia in 1980 Despite his deteriorating health over the Saturday morning in English and Maths to once again with the Parkville community past few years he remained as active as he me and four others, who were also for 3 years after which he became assistant could be and was a witness that we can intending to join the MSSP (one of them was priest at St Joseph’s Parish, Rozelle in embrace our journey of aging with vigor and Fr Frank Cortis who died in Perù four Sydney, then under MSSP care. In 1990, trust in the Lord. He will be fondly years ago), to help us enter St Aloysius he joined the MSSP community at St remembered as an energetic, jovial and College and continue our secondary Francis Assisi Chapel at the La Valette caring pastor by all who knew him and education. These lessons increased within Maltese Centre, Blacktown as a chaplain whose lives were touched by him. two years until I entered as an Aspirant with for the Maltese in the western suburbs of the MSSP in 1956, at the age of 12. Later [Source: catholicoutlook.org] Sydney especially in the Diocese of that year, Fr Claude was assigned to the Parramatta. Fr Claude Borg—An Appreciation MSSP Mission in Australia. While Fr. Claude entered aged care at St by Fr Edwin Agius mssp In Australia Fr Claude served the Maltese Dominic’s Blacktown in 2003 and in 2016 Shortly after his ordination to the community in Parkville and Sunshine in in Uniting Mulluana Blacktown, he priesthood in 1951, Fr Borg was assigned to Victoria and in Sydney, Horsley Park and continued to be involved in caring for the minister at the MSSP Oratory in Birkirkara. Blacktown in New South Wales for many Maltese and others till quite recently. Over Having its origin under the Salesians since years. the many years of ministry Fr Claude has 1910 and taken over by the MSSP in 1928, Although Fr Claude and I never worked also been involved with various groups in- the Oratory was the place where most of the together in the same ministry, Fr Claude particular due to his love of liturgy and children of Birkirkara received the continued to be supportive and encouraging music the formation of Maltese and other Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy with his energy, his love for the Church and choirs both in Melbourne and Sydney. Communion and Confirmation at the time. leading by example. In December 2016, Bishop Vincent Long During his four years ministering at the May he rest in peace. OFM CONV on the occasion of Fr Oratory, Fr Claude contributed so many of Page 14 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017 Appreciation

prominent member of the seven great grandchildren. Maltese Community in The relationship between Carmen and A Melbourne, Carmen Testa passed her husband was a great example of a away peacefully with dignity after a long long faithful and strong romance that they battle with cancer on 11 April 2017, aged shared until her last breath. She often 83 years. claimed that the saying “behind every Carmen was locally, nationally and great man is a woman” was not true for globally recognised for her community her. She described herself and her work. She was the recipient of an Order achievements as “behind this woman is a of Australia Medal (OAM) from the great man - her husband”. To watch her Australian Government, the Midalja ghall with her children, grandchildren and great -Qadi tar-Repubblika (MQR) from the grandchildren was to watch strength and Maltese Government, the Victorian love guiding and giving wings to fly. Premier’s Award, a Senior Citizen's Carmen’s smile shone on all whom she Award, Brimbank's living Treasure, a met. Her warm welcoming embrace Multicultural Award, and an MCCV gathered the dignitary as much as it did Community Award for her social work. the despairing. If she was disappointed in Carmen was born in Birkirkara, Malta anything, it was when she met on 8 March 1934 to Michael and Helen unkindness, injustice or bitterness. These Grixti. She had one sister and seven had no place in her world. brothers. At aged 18, in 1949, and having Carmen was a person who made central to let go of her dream to enter teachers in her everyday living, the place of faith college, Carmen, her mother and five and brothers and sisters, encouraged by Sr and fidelity in action. Her ordinariness brothers, migrated to Australia to join her was to make extraordinary the lives of the father, who had left nine months earlier to Laserian, Carmen managed in 1980, thirty five years after leaving her dream behind lonely, of the isolated, of the parish and prepare for his family a humble house in of the wider community. She was the the suburb of West Sunshine. In her in Malta, to realise her dream of becoming a teacher. Mum taught at St wise woman who saw a need and did not words: “We came to this room with wait for another to answer it. nothing else. And we were so shocked. Paul's School and Mother of God School. Carmen was one who lived Ghandi's We came in summer and by winter we In 1970 Carmen joined the St Paul's mantra “be the change you want to see in lived with mud, mud and more mud. But Feast Committee, organising a week of the world”, and Christ's command “Love we were happy.” celebrations that continues 46 year later. 30 years ago, she began the Maltese as I have loved.” She was that women in Against the cultural norm and the gospel who went looking for the lost expectation, Carmen started work in an Women's Group, with a membership of 100 women, for housebound Maltese coin. She went looking for those lost office at Drayton's Pottery one week after because they could not communicate in she arrived. In her own words, “I was women, meeting weekly and facilitating many monthly day trips, weekends away English, for them she spent herself expected to stay in this paddock all day, translating for them. doing nothing at all, but I went to the and in the earlier years with her husband, She went looking for those lost in the factory and asked Mr Drayton for a job. group trips overseas for those who would grief of loneliness, for them she spent her He said I don't' have one, but I was not otherwise have had the courage or time making sure that they were persistent and showed him my school support to travel. connected to others. Mum went looking results. He started me the next day.” Following her teaching days, Carmen completed an interpreter's course and for the grief and struggle within families Carmen Mum worked at Drayton's until and spent her time whispering peace and she married Frank who followed her ten became a much called on Maltese interpreter for the Maltese Community. wisdom, building bridges where others months after her arrival in Australia. had tried and failed. They married in 1953 and moved into the With her great friends, Carmen Over the last years, Carmen carried the family home built in Glengala Road, delivered the weekly Maltese radio burdens of her cruel sickness with Sunshine by Frank and his grandfather. program which reaches, to this day, the selflessness, making it easier for those There they raised seven children, Maltese community and keeps them in around her to carry the pain of seeing her welcomed their partners and supported touch with their language and culture. struggle. On Tuesday 11 April, at 2 am, the comings and goings of sixteen A skilful community worker who her husband Frank and Helen with her, grandchildren and their partners and managed to attract the various community Carmen went looking for her last breath, seven great grandchildren. grants needed to resource the many and as she did in her life, without fanfare Carmen’s community involvement community programs that became or drawing attention to herself, she spent spanned some 52 years. This involvement available to the Maltese Women's Group. her last breath, gathering her life of began before her children were at primary Coincidently, notification of a grant has faithful discipleship and left quietly to her school as a volunteer helping in various just come through. place of rest. May she rest in peace. ways. She helped in the primary school Carmen was a woman who embraced running the Mother's Club and Tuckshop. her life as one that must be lived in the This is an edited version of the eulogy For women back then, there was a service of others. She described herself 'as written by Mrs Testa’s daughter, Sr Doris language barrier – so she helped out as an a woman doing ordinary things'. Her Testa PhD. interpreter. greatest love and delight was her husband While doing all this, raising a family Frank, her children, their partners, her and supporting her own mum and dad sixteen grandchildren, their partners and No. 143 • June 2017 MCCV News • Page 15 Appreciation

he Maltese community in Vice-Chancellor, gardeners, department Melbourne mourns the sad loss heads and colleagues. He was proud to of Anthony Paul Zarb, receive the University Medal as a T symbol of his long and faithful 36-year affectionately known as Tony Zarb. He was a loving husband, loyal brother, service to the University. dedicated father, proud grandfather and Tony had a great sense of humour and adoring great-grandfather and earned an loved to play the odd practical joke. His enduring respect from friends and all work colleague and friend Stan bore the who knew him. brunt of most of his practical jokes over Tony was a prominent member of the the 30 years working together but other Maltese community in Melbourne. In friends didn’t miss out. In 1977, the 1998 Tony became the president of the VFL grand final was between North Maltese Salesian Past Pupil Association Melbourne and Collingwood. Two and, for the next eight years, he steered families in our street had their front the Association to support the gardens decorated in corresponding missionary work of the Salesians. He team colours. Dad borrowed a small won the respect of the Association white coffin and painted black stripes on members and Bishop of the Solomon it. Fortunately, Collingwood lost and Islands. our long-time friends awoke with the coffin on their lawn. It remained there Born in Sliema, Malta on January 17, for over a week, but due to Dad’s 1935 to Vincent and Connie Zarb, Tony charm, wit and charismatic nature, their was the eighth born child of ten. Only home to look after the young children friendship continued. five of the children survived to and ensure they had a good education. adulthood. Like most children of his His children and grandchildren have Tony also loved a party or celebration. generation our father, Tony, spent his inherited his work ethic and The traditional lighting of the family childhood years through WWII. During commitment to family. The family drove home during Christmas was the envy of three years of on and off bombing he to Adelaide, at times visiting two or East Keilor and rivalled Ivanhoe. Most sheltered from German and Italian three times in the one year for a flying family milestones were celebrated with bombs. In 1942 Malta was considered weekend visit to spend a few days with other family and friends. Tony ‘the most dangerous place on earth.’ As Dad’s siblings and their families. organised the social events at work and a child and adolescent Dad enjoyed Visiting Adelaide over Christmas was a was involved in all family activities. sport (usually football – soccer), music, special event. Tony was always there for A founding family of the parish of St singing solo in the church choir, The his mother in law, Stella, and other Peter’s Keilor East, Tony and Tessie Boys’ Brigade and his beloved Salesian members of Mum’s family. attended all the parish religious and Youth Club. As his boys were growing up Tony social functions. Tony supported Tessie As awkward and shy 12-year-old he made every effort to be with his family, with the St. Peter’s Social Club for 31 met the girl that would later become his despite working two full time jobs. He years. Tony loved to sing whether at wife of 60 years and one week. It was would drive home every night, between church, in the home and garden or at not until they were both 15 that he jobs, to have dinner with the family. parties in front of others. summoned the courage to ask her out. There wasn’t one jamboree, scout camp Tony passed away at the Royal Thus begun a 67 year journey of love. or school event that he would miss. He Melbourne Hospital with his family After a seven-year courtship Tony was both proud and protective of his present at his bedside on May 19, 2017 married Tessie and they lived in Sliema family. When grandchildren and great at the age of 82. He will be remembered with his mother-in-law. Within three grandchildren arrived, he travelled as a hard working yet generous man years they had two sons, Avan and interstate and to New Zealand to capture who would do anything and everything Alex. their lifetime events. for not just family and friends but also In 1961 Tony and his wife agreed that Between 1961 and 1969 Tony and for those less fortunate in life. We will they should move to Australia as he Tessie moved to three different houses. miss your laughter, wit and wisdom. thought that this would provide his sons Tony worked as a factory worker, May he rest in peace. with the best opportunity in life. In cleaner, doorman, kitchen hand whilst March that year Tony and his family, his an animal technician at the University of This is an edited version of the eulogy brother-in-law, Joe, and his mother-in- Melbourne. Tony made friends with written by Tony’s sons Avan, Alex, law, Stella, migrated to Australia with everyone from all walks of life and Martin & Adam Zarb. £25 in his pocket. In the same decade showed respect to all he met. It seemed they had two other sons, Martin and that everyone at the University knew Adam. him. At his retirement function, there Tony was a hardworking man. He were representatives from nearly every believed that his wife should stay at part of the University, including the Page 16 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017

By Prof. Stephen Gatt

n 17 April 2017, Maltese- Australian Dr James Vella- O Bardon achieved a lifelong ambition when his novel The Sheriff’s Catch was signed up by the award- winning Unbound, the UK’s largest crowdfunding publisher. Yet brighter days were to follow when opening presales of his work had his novel roar to top spot on Unbound’s platform, which included 374 published and unpublished projects. Unbound’s list of authors include the Man Booker Prize-longlisted Paul Kingsnorth, as well as Monty Python legend Terry Jones, who has described Unbound as follows: Unbound’s business model is a simple one, in which a book’s financing is partly covered through the private contributions of readers. This is a late revival of the ‘subscription publishing’ of yore, in which works by Unbound’s platform for two whole days, bred protagonist, Abel de Santiago. A Charles Dickens and Voltaire, amongst before dropping to second, and then rifle in the King of Spain’s Army of others, were also financed in this way. claiming top spot for yet another day. It Flanders, Santiago turns deserter to Unbound’s model slightly differs from still held first spot in the ‘fiction’ and hunt down his pregnant wife’s killers. the historical crowdfund, in that the digital categories for nearly two weeks His mission of vengeance is half first one-third of a novel’s financing after the crowdfunding target was accomplished when he is captured and (£4000 pounds) is crowdfunded, with reached. This feat is all the more sold as a galley slave, soon finding the remaining two-thirds of financing remarkable, when one considers that at himself aboard a ship forming part of (£8000) subsequently being covered the time of launch Unbound had over the Spanish Armada. Following his by Unbound. 374 published and unpublished projects galley’s shipwreck in Ireland, Santiago So, on Thursday 18 May Dr Vella- on its platform. By the end of the first must somehow elude roaming bands Bardon faced the daunting task of day, 46% of the required £4000 was of English troopers who have orders to having to raise £4000 within three raised, with the whole amount gathered capture and kill all Spanish castaways. months to ensure that Unbound less than 4.5 days later. It was a glorious ‘To kick the presale campaign off in progressed with the subsequent editing achievement for Dr Vella-Bardon, who this way is just fantastic’ he said, ‘if and publishing of his novel. left Malta ten years ago to travel to someone told me that the money ‘I was bracing myself for a long, Sydney where he abandoned his legal would have been gathered in less than hard slog’ says Dr Vella-Bardon, background to chase his writing a week, I’d have laughed in their face. ‘absolutely nothing prepared me for ambitions. I’ve had patrons buying pre-purchases what happened next.’ ‘James has practically dedicated the from all over the world, yet I couldn’t The young father of two works full- last decade of his life to this project’, have done it without the immense time, and spent much of his free time said retired advertising stalwart Martin contribution of the Maltese-Australian last year caring for his late mother-in- Pisani, one of the novel’s many Maltese- community. I can’t thank my Maltese- law who was suffering from Australian patrons, ‘and the time it was Australian patrons enough for the Alzheimer’s disease. His manuscript taking him to release his project had wonderful chance to achieve a was completed against the odds, by become something of a passing joke. boyhood dream.’ working late into the night and by Yet no one was laughing once the extent The budding author is presently largely being a social recluse. Prior to of his work was revealed for all to see. working hard with Unbound’s his project being placed on Unbound’s The amount of research and rewriting he editorial team with a view to releasing crowdfunding platform, he had no pre- carried out, despite countless setbacks, the novel in coming months. In the planned media strategy or advertising is just extraordinary. I’ve read parts of meantime presales of the book are still campaign in place, with his home the novel, and it is just great. Both Malta open, and readers can still become nation of Malta being suddenly and Australia should be proud.’ patrons of the novel by registering a distracted by the announcement of a The Sheriff’s Catch is the first profile with Unbound and purchasing snap general election. instalment of a five-part series entitled a copy of the novel at the following Despite these odds, Dr Vella- The Sassana Stone Pentalogy. The series web address: https://unbound.com/ Bardon’s novel held top spot on tells the story of a Maltese-born and books/the-sheriffs-catch. No. 143 • June 2017 MCCV News • Page 17

By Paul Vella n Friday, May 5, on my Maltese program on Community Radio O 3ZZZ I had the opportunity to interview Sharon Catherine Spiteri, the author of Traditional Sweet Recipes from Malta, a lovely hardcover book in full colour. The response from our listeners was great. So we invited Sharon to our Wednesday weekly meeting of Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group, at Merrilands Community Centre. Sharon accepted the invitation to speak to our members and arrived with her husband, Daniele, and some books as well. In her address to our members, Sharon said that Malta is her place of birth, ancestry line and heritage. She said that, although arriving in Australia at an early age of 8 months old, she was always felt proud of her Island home in the Mediterranean. Her parents always reinforced this pride with many stories Sharon decided to produce her own book generation to generation. Something of about Malta, as she was growing up, whilst at the same time displaying the great value that is worth preserving. experiences they had as children and provincial beauty and Old World Charm “I know this is equally important to historical facts that always intrigued and of Malta within its pages. Her motivation others in the community and with fascinated her. Our nation’s history of to create this book was to share her Malta being so far away from us here in resilience during Word War II and the knowledge and experience with Australia my main objective was to Great Siege of 1565 are just some others. Food is a strong connection to our enable anyone who acquired the book to examples of the Maltese spirit and true culture and heritage. create a small slice of Malta that feels resilience. She told us that part of our history and like home.” Sharon first returned to Malta at the age traditions are passed down from of 16, her family's first overseas holiday. Apart from being truly impressed by Malta's beauty and its people’s kind- hearted nature, her innate need and want of authentic Maltese recipes was very strong. She visited every book store she could find during her search. She aid that her mother was without doubt an exceptional cook. She was extremely fortunate to experience her love of food and her efforts in ensuring good nutrition, quality produce and beautiful dishes. She told us that, although she did not realise it then, her mother inspired her so much with food. Sharon later returned to Malta where she began her career in the food service industry. Studying at ITS Malta where she gained her qualifications as a Chef (City and Guilds of London) and multicultural Memory Lane These social events go for about two Diploma in food production and Café event was held on 10 May hours from about 10.30 am till 12.30 pm preparation. and a light lunch is served by the Once qualified she worked in Malta A at the Maltese Cultural Centre in Albion and hosted by the Polish hosting community. Hilton, Melbourne Hilton and the Grand There is also some light entertainment Hyatt Melbourne. community. The above photo shows the Maltese group who attended on the day. and people get together to socialize Sharon always found it difficult to between the different communities. acquire authentic Maltese recipes, Memory Lane Café is held every particularly sweets, that worked well. month by Alzheimer's Australia Victoria If there are Maltese people who would Although her Mum was a phenomenal for five different nationalities: for like to attend and bring along with them cook, she didn't make a lot of sweets, so members of the Polish, Chinese, members of the family who are she only had a few recipes from her that Vietnamese, Macedonian and Maltese suffering from Alzheimer or Dementia, were passed down. communities who are coping with they may ring the Maltese Community After a lifetime searching for Maltese Alzheimer’s and dementia. Centre (03) 9387 8922 for more sweets recipes with limited success, information . Page 18 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017

News from the Vatican

Compiled by Rev. Charles Borg-Manché from Vatican Radio sources

relationships that every human being has for corruption and mafia association.” Church committed to with God, with our neighbours and with The new Vatican Dicastery for Promo- protecting migrants the natural world around us. ting Integral Human Development, led by June 11: Pope Francis has sent a message Cardinal Peter Turkson, held a symposium to the President of the Latin American and on the fight against corruption in the Vati- Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) on the can Gardens. The meeting, which was or- occasion of its 33rd General Assembly. ganised by the Pontifical Academy for Addressing his letter to Ms. Blanca Social Sciences, was attended by prosecu- Alcalá, the Parlatino president, Pope tors and bishops from around the world. Francis reflects on migration in Latin Among the initiatives that were being America and the Caribbean, the theme of considered at the conference, according to the Assembly. the Vatican, was the possible excommuni- He said the initiative “aims to help and cation for corruption. Excommunication, make life more dignified for those who, which bans Catholics from participating in having a homeland, regrettably do not the sacraments or communion, is one of the find in their countries adequate conditions most several penalties within the church. of security and subsistence, and are com- In an Angelus message on 18 September pelled to migrate to other places.” The 2016 Pope Francis compared corruption to Holy Father goes on to highlight three a drug. He said that “Jesus today urges us words related to migration: reality, dia- to make a clear choice between Him and logue, and commitment. the worldly spirit, between the logic of Related to reality, he said that behind Origin of all exploitation corruption, of the abuse of power and every emigrant lies “a human being with He describes it as the worst scourge of greed, and that of righteousness, meekness a history of his own, with a culture and societies because it is the lifeblood of the and sharing. Some people conduct them- ideals.” mafia and other criminal organisations. selves with corruption as they do with “Dialogue,” he said, “is essential to Corruption, he says, is the origin of all drugs: they think they can use it and stop foster solidarity with those who have been exploitation and trafficking of people, when they want. It starts out small: a tip deprived of their fundamental rights, as drugs and weapons. It is at the heart of all here, a bribe over there.... And between well as to increase willingness to accom- injustice, lack of development, unemploy- this and that, one’s freedom is slowly lost.” modate those who flee from dramatic and ment and social degradation. “Corruption is also habit-forming, and inhuman situations.” Turning to commit- Corruption tempts us all generates poverty, exploitation, and suffer- ment, Pope Francis renewed his call “to Pope Francis praises the book for ing. How many victims there are in the stop human trafficking, which is a exposing the ramifications of corruption world today! How many victims of this scourge. Human beings cannot be treated and the way it can tempt all of us in our widespread corruption. But when we try to as objects or commodities, for each one political, economic, cultural or spiritual follow the Gospel logic of integrity, clarity carries with him the image of God.” lives. The spirit of worldliness can corrupt in intentions and in behaviour, of fraterni- In conclusion, the Pope urged govern- us all, the pope warns, leading to a harden- ty, we become artisans of justice and we ments to protect all those who reside in ing of our hearts and indifference to those open horizons of hope for humanity,” he their territory, despite their provenance. around us. said. “I reiterate the commitment of the Catho- The Pope ends his preface with an In a Vatican address delivered on 25 lic Church, through the presence of the urgent appeal to all Christians and all peo- October 2014 Pope Francis had compared local and regional Churches, to respond- ple of good will to combat this curse, this corruption to bad breath. Pope Francis ing to this wound that many brothers and cancer which can consume our lives. condemned corruption claiming it was a sisters of ours carry with them.” worse evil than sin, and compared it to bad breath. The Pontiff was meeting delegates Pope Francis writes Vatican considering from the International Association of Penal Law in the Vatican. preface to book on the excommunication for Pope Francis said: “The scandalous curse of corruption corrupt Catholics accumulation of global wealth is possible June 18: Pope Francis has instructed a because of the connivance of those with June 14: Pope Francis has written the strong powers who are responsible for preface for a new book on corruption by Vatican commission to draft a new doc- trine for excommunicating Catholics con- public affairs. The corrupt one does not Cardinal Peter Turkson, former president perceive his own corruption. It is a little of the Vatican’s Justice and Peace Council victed of corruption or mafia-related crimes. like what happens with bad breath: some- and current head of the office for Integral one who has it hardly ever realises it; other More than 50 prosecutors, bishops, Human Development. The book explores people notice and have to tell him.” the origins and devastating consequences United Nations representatives and victims “Corruption is an evil greater than sin. of corruption, which the Pope describes as of organized crime came together for a More than forgiveness, this evil needs to be a "curse" and a “cancer” that can consume Vatican conference this week to hammer cured,” he said. our lives. In his preface, the Pope out the Church’s new legal doctrine con- describes corruption as the breakdown of cerning “the question of excommunication No. 143 • June 2017 MCCV News • Page 19

afna jaħsbu li l-kanċer Image: www.millersurgery.co.uk m’hemmx kura għalih, Ħ però dan mhux veru. Ħafna nies illum qed jimxu fit-triq u jmorru għal xogħolhom minkejja l-fatt li kellhom xi kanċer snin qabel. L-importanti huwa li taħsiblu minn kmieni ħalli dan ma jidħolx il-ġewwa u jkun tard wisq.

Il-kanċer tal-imsaren huwa wieħed mill-aktar komuni fost il- Maltin, u allura ta’ min jgħid xi haġa fuq dan, għaliex hu daqshekk komuni, u x’għandna nagħmlu biex nindunaw li għandna din il- problema. L-ewwelnett ta’ min jgħid li dan il-kanċer huwa aktar komuni f’dawk in-nies li għandhom dieta li hija bbażata fuq ħafna laħam, u li darba għal dejjem. Il-problema hi tiċċekkja is-sitwazzjoni tal-ġisem tkun nieqsa minn ikel bħal ħxejjex, li għal bosta xhur, jekk mhux snin, (u mhux biss biex telimina l- ċereali (‘cereals’), u ikel ieħor li il-kanċer jkun qed jikber bil-mod il kanċer). fih il-‘fibre’. Per eżempju, ħobż -mod mingħajr inti ma tħossx xejn, F'każi fejn ikun suspett li hemm kannella (‘brown bread’) fih ħafna jiġifieri ma jkunx hemm sintomi ta kanċer tal-imsaren, allura jkun aktar fibra minn ħobż abjad. Nies xejn. Meta imbagħad jidħol aktar jeħtieġ test speċjali (imsejjaħ li jippreferu dieta bħal din ’l quddiem, nibdew naraw xi ‘colonoscopy’), fejn it-tabib ikun għandhom tendenza ta’ konstipaz- demm fl-ippurgar, jew li tiżviluppa jista’ jara b’għajnejh stess jekk zjoni u dan jista’ jiżviluppa anemija mħabba t-telf tad-demm. hemm xi felula jew xi sinjal ieħor f'kanċer. Naturalment, meta naraw xi ta’ bidu ta' kanċer. Meta jkun Huwa fatt ukoll li dan il-kanċer sintomi bħal dawn tkun teħtieġ għadu fil-bidu, dan il-kanċer jista' huwa aktar komuni f'dawk li vista għand it-tabib ħalli dan jinqered faċilment. It-tabib jaqta jpejpu, jew li jixorbu ħafna jagħmel l-eżamijiet li jeħtieġ. Però, din il-felula u jibgħatha l- alkoħol. Huwa ukoll aktar komuni kif semmejna qabel, dawn il-visti laboratorju ħalli jsir dijanjosi f’dawk in-nies li għandhom aktar għandhom jsiru minn kmieni preċiża. Test bħal dan għandu jisir milli suppost. Hemm ukoll kemm jista' jkun, qabel wieħed jara regulari speċjalment f'dawk li ġebbieda ereditarja, jiġifieri, jekk xi sintomi. Hemm testijiet tal- għandhom tendenza speċjali għall- fil-familja għandek jew kellek ippurgar biex wieħed jara hemmx kanċer, kif semmejna hawn fuq. qraba li kellhom kanċer, allura xi ħjiel ta' dmija, li għad li ma Jekk għandek xi mistoqsijiet dwar għandek xi ftit aktar ċans min tkunx tidher fil-għajn, it-testijiet is-saħħa jew tixtieq aktar ħaddieħor li jkollok dan il-kanċer jkunu jistgħu jagħrfu. L-istess informazzjoni dwar ukoll. għall-anemija u testijiet oħra, dawn kundizzjonijiet ta’ saħħa, ibgħat Allura x’għandek tagħmel biex kollha testijiet sempliċi. Għalhekk imejl lil: [email protected]. tinduna li hemm xi kanċer tal- tkun ħaġa tajba li kull min għalaq musrana minn kmieni kemm jista’ l-erbgħin sena u jara xi problema jkun, għaliex aktar ma tara għalih żgħira kemm hi żgħira, għandu kmieni, aktar hemm ċans li teqirdu jagħmel vista regulari biex Page 20 • MCCV News No. 143 • June 2017 Community Events Calendar For up-to-date and more detailed information, visit our website at www.mccv.org.au/community-events

July 2017

Sun 16 July Newport Seniors’ Christmas Melrose Receptions in July Tullamarine August 2017

Wed 2 Aug MCCV Council Meeting Maltese Community @ 7.00 pm Centre, Parkville

Thu 10 Aug Reskeon Fathers’ Day Firenze Receptions Luncheon Fawkner

Minn Paul Vella Sun 20 Aug Newport Seniors’ Fathers’ Melrose Receptions Day Dinner Tullamarine har il-Ħadd, 18 ta' is-Sur George Salloum u Ġunju, ir-Radju oħrajn. N Etniku Komunitarju Wara li s-Sur Joseph Caputo MALTESE COMMUNITY CENTRE f'Melbourne, 3ZZZ, organizza għamel diskors tal-konklużjoni, 477 Royal Parade, Parkville attività biex jiċċelebra l-ewwel sar riċeviment fejn kien hemm anniversarju fl-użu tal-istudios ħafna ikel u xorb. ġodda fi 309 Albert Street, Żewġ xandara Maltin, il- Brunswick, u fl-istess ħin id-29 Convenor Lewis Stafrace OUR CANTEEN SERVES MALTESE FOOD sena ta' xandir kontinwu. flimkien mal-mara tiegħu, EVERY FRIDAY— BINGO NIGHT Ix-xandara u s-semmiegħa Marie, flimkien ma' Paul u WE OPEN AT 5.00 PM TO SERVE FOOD ġew mistiedna biex jattendu Salvina Vella kienu preżenti. BINGO HEADS DOWN AT 7.00 PM għal din iċ-ċelebrazzjoni li Għadd ta' semmiegħa tal- EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT nżammet fis-sala kbira tal- programmi Maltin kienu attendew: Rosemary u Charles istazzjon. Persuni prominenti Għandek aptit ta’ ravjulata? oħra ġew mistiedna wkoll. Attard, Iris Sapiano, Joe Come along and enjoy our friendly atmosphere L-ewwel kelliemi kien il- Bonett, u l-familja Belli: We would love to see you President, Manmohan S. Miriam, Patricia, Victor u Shergill li wara li ta merħba Alfred. and bring your friends along with you! lil dawk preżenti tkellem fuq Dawn kollha ħadu gost ix-xogħol b'dedikazzjoni lill- minħabba li saru jafu kif u istazzjon u x-xandara jagħtu minn fejn jixxandru l- lill-komunità fil-Victoria, u programmi Maltin. Naħseb li MCCV Ladies Auxiliary permezz tal-internet lis- l-Grupp Malti l-iktar li kellhom semmiegħa madwar id-dinja numru kbir li attendew. Bingo Sessions kollha. Hemm tliet programmi Maltin at the Maltese Community Centre in Parkville every Tuesday between 11.00am and 2.30pm. Wara tkellmet Cr Sue Bolton fuq 3ZZZ. It-Tnejn (Lewis A small group of women enjoy spending time together playing li kienet qed tirrappreżenta lis- Stafrace) 5 pm; il-Ġimgħa bingo, having lunch and also celebrating special events. (Paul Vella) 5 pm; u s-Sibt Sindku ta' Moreland. Din In 2017 The first bingo session will be held on Tuesday 7th faħħret ħafna x-xogħol ta' (wieħed ma' Mario Sammut u February. 3ZZZ li jagħmel l-ieħor "Inservik" ma ' Lewis Everyone is welcome. kontinwament. Stafrace, Mario Sammut u Paul For more information please ring the Maltese Centre on 9387 8922. Is-Sur Eddie Micallef, Vella) 10 am. President ta' ECCV, faħħar Il-programmi Maltin huma ħafna x-xogħol siewi li 3ZZZ ferm popolari mas-semmiegħa MCCV News jagħmel fil-qasam tax-xandir. mhux biss tal-Victoria, imma minn madwar id-dinja. Xhieda The MCCV News is published by the Maltese Is-Sur Joseph Caputo, Community Council of Victoria every two months Chairperson ta' FECCA, ta' dan hu n-numru kbir ta' to inform the Maltese community about activities, tkellem ukoll u faħħar ħafna emails u SMS's li nirċievu kull news and information that would be of interest. x-xogħol siewi ta' 3ZZZ. ġimgħa fejn jgħidulna kemm Imbagħad kien wasal il-ħin jieħdu gost bil-programmi u DISCLAIMER biex jinqasam il-kejk tal- jfaħħruhom speċjalment kemm Although funding for some MCCV welfare services is provided okkażjoni, li sar mill-President, tjiebet il-kwalità tal-programmi by the Australian Government, the material contained in the MCCV News does not necessarily represent the views or poli- ta' 3ZZZ, is-Sur Manmohan S. u kemm saru interessanti cies of the Australian Government. Shergill, is-Segretarju 3ZZZ, f'dawn l-aħħar xhur.